Contest Rules:
- A character must be hopeful
- 214 words max, title not included
- Appropriate for ages 12 and under
- No illustration notes
See other stories at Susanna Hill’s Valentiny post.
Now, for my story in exactly 213 words.
The Best Valentine’s Day Party Ever
by Jilanne Hoffmann
Sal’s a maker. Cal’s a baker. Val’s an advisor. Corndog’s—a dog. Together, they hope to host the best Valentine’s Day party ever!
But how to get party supplies into their treehouse?
Val advises climbing, one hand for the ladder, one for treats.
Cal goes first, carrying cupcakes.
“I’m slipping!” cries Cal.
“Ewwww!” says Sal. “We’re covered in—mmmm, yum!”
Corndog licks them up one side and down the other.
Next, Val advises tossing up the bag of candy hearts.
Cal throws, then cries “Too low!” as it bursts against the tree.
Corndog snarfles up hearts.
Val advises throwing higher.
“I’ll build a catapult!” says Sal.
While Sal builds, Cal bakes more cupcakes. Val advises they work faster. Corndog scratches.
Quickly, they bundle treats and decorations into the catapult’s scoop.
“I advise—”
T-w-anggggg!
“You NOT to pull it back that far.”
The bundle flies up—
And over the fence. The neighbor’s dog, Crunch, gobbles their cupcakes and shreds their decorations.
The trio watch through the fence in silence. Corndog whines.
“We’re here!” call their friends.
“Into the treehouse, everyone,” advises Val. “Cal, get more cupcakes. Sal, launch them at us. We’ll catch them!”
T-w-anggg!
“Yum!”
When the fog of frosting clears, no one wants to leave. Like all of the best parties.
Burp!
Jilanne Hoffmann 
Leaving some hen-scratch to say I wish you well with this story after all their hard work to “throw” a good party.
Yay! The chickens appreciate your scribbles. And I appreciate a fellow punster. You win the find the metaphor in the story prize! Not that I have any physical prizes to hand out, mind you. So all I can give is my deepest appreciation and thanks for your most insightful comment! Cheers!
Aww, cute! Happy Valentine’s day!
❤ ❤ ❤ To you, too, Letizia!
This is adorable, Jilane! I especially like Corndog–best dog name EVER! 🙂 GOOD LUCK!!!
Thank you, Becky! I was thinking that the name would give an illustrator quite a bit to work with. Thanks for stopping by!
Great story. Corndog had a great Valentine’s Day. So did Crunch. GREAT names. Love them. And I adore the friends and how they pulled together. Fantastic job. Best of luck.
Thanks, Robyn! I’m pleased that those names worked for you! And yes, everyone ended up having a great Valentine’s Day. I was tempted to call Val a consultant, just for kicks, but decided against it, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
LOL-love the names of the dogs-real nawfer-scarfers! Great hijinks to throw that party. Good luck, Jilanne!
Thank you, Charlotte! Those dogs kinda took over, didn’t they? As they often do. If this were illustrated, you’d see all kinds of dog cupcake scarfing action at the end, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a doggone great party!
Yeah, this party kinda went to the dogs, didn’t it?
hot diggity dog – what a party! Best of luck.
Yep, to the dogs go the sweet spoils of friendship.
Such a fun story!! Best of luck to you!
Thank you!
Hi Jilanne – such a fun post … I can see the kids and the dog, then dogs darting everywhere just to get more … til all had tummy aches! Still their tree house was a fun place to hold cupcake court … cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary! Yes, a frosting frenzy, so to speak. Thanks for stopping by!
Great visuals! Sounds like a fun mess of a party! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you! I’m thinking everyone needed a bath after this party, including the dogs….thanks for stopping by! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too!
Fun story! Sounds like the party was right on target!
Hahahhaa! Yes, at the end, most of those cupcakes reached their intended recipients. And those that didn’t, well, that’s what dogs do best, right? Thanks for stopping by!
I need a cupcake after that story, not catapulted at me though. =) Good luck!
I’m thinking it would be fun to actually try this….in a park…near a swimming pool, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
That could be fun. =)
Hi Jilanne,
Thanks for checking out my story and catching my oops! I enjoyed your story. Good luck in the contest.
Ken
Thanks, Ken! You, too!
Great humor and satisfying ending, Jilanne. Fun read! Best of luck with the contest.
Thank you, Alayne. Susanna gives us all an incentive for pushing the “few word” envelope. Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent entry! I really enjoyed your story.
Thanks, Pat! It was fun to write!
Adorable story, Jilanne! You had me at “Corndog’s—a dog.” Ha — doggone funny!
Thank you, Gabi! And you are very punny as well!
A primer on how to throw a party, especially one you don’t want to “go to the dogs.” Love the dogs names. This is a funny story. Best of luck!
Thanks, Maria! Ha! Love your comment!
Gorgeous, funny story, so engagingly written. And all’s well that ends well. Love it, Jilanne!
Thanks, Ann! Susanna is an inspiration to us all. Cheers!
Rico wants to come to the party. Woof. Woof.
I’ve got a cupcake waiting for him. See you soon!
Whew what a lot of work! Glad the party was a success!
Kind of like writing picture books. So much work, but so very worth it. And minus the frosting, of course. Thanks for stopping by!
This was so fun! I want a cupcake launcher now, haha. Great job and good luck Jilanne!
Thank you, Debbie! I’ll bet there would be a big market for cupcake launchers, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
So great, Jilanne! Snarfles is my new favorite word!
Thanks, Rebekah! I’m kinda partial to making up words. Cheers!
Loved it! These triplets have a good sense of adventure and unique characters. Sounds like the party was a sticky, smashing success.
As all the “best” parties, at least at that age, are, LOL. Thanks, Lauri!
Hahaha! Loved your opening and laughed so hard at “Corndog’s—a dog.” These kids know how to throw a party. Forget dunking for apples. Cupcake launching is the next big thing! Best of luck, Jilanne!
Followed by water balloon launching to hose them all down. Thank you! And thanks for stopping by!
What creative names you’ve come up with here! I love the story and vibrant language. Wishing you the best of luck, feel free to catapult a cupcake my way any day!
Thank you! Would you prefer chocolate, strawberry, or lemon poppyseed? Thanks for stopping by!
Haha, a dog named Corndog, love it.
Conjures a very specific image, doesn’t it, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
Very cute and funny and kid-friendly, Jilanne, and nicely written! I can just picture the mayhem going on in that back yard 🙂 Thanks so much for a delightful entry and for joining the contest fun!
Thanks, Susanna! Gotta leave room for that illustrator, right? And maybe room for another cupcake or two or ten, LOL.
Such a fun story. I love the rhyming names of the kids, and the sounds of all the craziness. Lots of motion and energy. Nice job!
Thanks, Kate! They’re going to need a hose to clean up the remnants of the party, LOL.